2004 Chevrolet S10

Routine

Owners filed 21 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 3 times.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System3
010
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor2
000
Air Bags2
000
Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer › Motor1
000
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls1
000
Tires1
000
Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing1
000
Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments1
000
Structure › Body › Tailgate1
000
Structure › Body1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting06E065000
Filed Jul 17, 20063,593 vehiclesAj Motorsport

Defect. CERTAIN AJ MOTORSPORT COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Risk. LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy. AJ MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AJ MOTORSPORT AT 626-618-2026.

Equipment › Other › Labels04V132000
Filed Mar 18, 2004183,922 vehiclesGeneral Motors Corp.

Defect. CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION."

Risk. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES INCLUDE INCORRECT STATEMENTS ON ONE OF THE AIR BAG WARNING LABELS.

Remedy. OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH CORRECT LABELS AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 4, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438 OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Air Bags
Filed Dec 29, 2020139,000 milesCA

THE SERVICE AIR BAGS IS STUCK ON ALSO THE SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM WONT GO OFF.

Air Bags
Filed Aug 2, 2018100,000 milesOH

THE AIRBAG LIGHT CONTINUE TO BLINK OFF AND ON.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 14, 2016149,450 milesFL

THE FUEL TANK ON MY TRUCK HAS CRACKED WHERE THE INLET TUBE CONNECTS TO THE TANK , CAUSING A FUEL LEAK. THERE IS A RECALL BY CHEVROLET FOR THE SAME CONDITION ON 2004 CHEVROLET TAHOE WITH THE PLASTIC TANK. GENERAL MOTORS HAS DISCONTINUED THE TANK FOR REPLACEMENT AND WILL NOT VERIFY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS TANK ALSO. THE TANK EMITS GAS FUMES OUT OF THE CRACKS DUE TO EGR PRESSURE REQUIREMENTS.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 20, 201275,000 milesWA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFT GATE COLLAPSED ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABLES WERE FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE LIFT GATE TO STRIKE THE BUMPERS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 3, 2012KS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO REMOVE AND REINSERT THE FUSE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE WHAT THE EXACT FUSE WAS THAT WAS BEING REMOVED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN, BUT THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 20, 2011133,000 milesGA

HEADLIGHTS GO OUT WHEN DRIVING AND HORN STARTS SOUNDING WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARK AND WITHOUT KEYS. PROBLEM REPORTED TO GM WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS NEW. GM DEALERSHIP WORKED ON THE VEHICLE AND SAID THAT IS WAS FIXED. PROBLEM HAS REAPPEARED. ALSO A LOT OF MINOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS **TT

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Apr 16, 201050,000 milesAL

CHEVY S-10 QUAD CAB CAUGHT ON FIRE DUE TO ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION; PASSENGER SEAT WAS ADJUSTED (ELECTRIC SEAT WITH HEAT) SMELLED SMOKE AND PARKED VEHICLE TOOK KEYS AND EXITED VEHICLE WITH PASSENGER. VEHICLE BURNED ALL WIRING AND THE FUSE BOX UNDER THE HOOD MELTED. NO FLAMES SEEN ONLY SMOKE, ALL WIRING MELTED UNDER THE SEAT AND CARPET THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND NO ELECTRICAL ITEM WOULD TURN ON. HAD VEHICLE TOWED ON BACK OF FLAT BED TO CHEVY DEALER. THEY SAID IT WAS OUR FAULT THAT A WIRE UNDER THE SEAT WAS PINCHED BY THE SEAT TRACK. THE COST WAS OVER $4,000. THEY SAID THAT THE INSTALLED ZIP TIES AND THAT THE WIRE WOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES AGAIN, THEY ALSO REPLACED CARPET, FUSE BOX, JUNCTION CLOCK, SIR MODULE, (CARPET, HARNESS, MODULE, BLOCK, HARNESS, FUSE KIT, FUSE, COIL KIT, HEATER YES TWO HARNESS WERE REPLACED) AND THE COMPLETE WIRING HARNESS. THIS THEN HAPPEN A SECOND TIME, HOWEVER WE TOOK IT TO A SECOND DEALERSHIP IN AL BENTLEY GMC THEY DETERMINED THAT ORIGINAL REPAIR WIRE SHORTEN OUT THE SYSTEM, THE WIRING HARNESS BECAME UNFASTENED AND WAS CUT BY THE SEAT TRACK. THIS TIME DUE TO MY WIFE QUICK THINKING THERE WAS LESS DAMAGE (TURNED OFF VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND LEFT VEHICLE IN PARKING SPOT.) FIRST TIME HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY. BOTH TIMES PARTS REPLACED WE HAVE OLD PARTS IN OUR HOUSE MINUS- CARPET. DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED NO RECALL ON TRUCK. DEALERSHIP SAID NO MALFUNCTION OCCURRED EVEN THOUGH FUSES DID NOT BREAK CURRENT. SECOND TIME OCCURRED IN JUNE 2009 PART NUMBER

Parking Brake
Filed Oct 23, 200964,000 milesNE

EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER FAILED TO LATCH IN LOCKED POSITION. *TR

Structure › Body › Tailgate › Hinge and Attachments
Filed Oct 15, 2009840,000 milesMN

I HAVE A 2004 S-10 PICKUP AND HAD A NEARMISS A PERSON WAS SITTING ON MY TAILGATE AND THE LEFT TAILGATE CABLE BROKE AND THE RIGHT ONE IS BULGING I BELIEVE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE HOW DO I GET THESE CABLES CHANGED. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed May 27, 200962,500 milesTX

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT MADE MULTIPLE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE INCLUDING A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, NEW BRAKES PADS FOR ALL FOUR WHEELS, THE MASTER CYLINDER, AND ALL FOUR TIRES. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FAILING AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN WHO REPLACED THE BRAKE LINES AT THE COST OF $150. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,500 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,000.

Structure › Body › Tailgate
Filed Feb 13, 200992,000 milesMD

2004 CHEVROLET S-10 CREW CAB TRUCK TAILGATE CABLES FAILED. THE CABLES EACH BROKE IN THE CENTER CAUSING THE TAILGATE TO DROP AGAINST THE REAR BUMPER. CONTACTED CHEVY ABOUT THEIR SPECIAL POLICY 06020 TO REPLACE THE KNOWN DEFECT, BUT IT ONLY COVERS 2000-2003. HOWEVER, 2004 USES THE SAME CABLES. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE DEALER TO REPLACE THE CABLES. *TR

Power Train › Transfer Case (4-wheel Drive)
Filed Apr 3, 200815,777 milesOH

VEHICLE PURCHASED 2/23/04 NEW 2004 S-10 CLUB CAB - IN FEB 05 WAS RETURNED DUE TO COOLANT LEAK - BOTH ENG. OIL COOLER HOSES REPLACED. ALSO FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRATIC THEY REPLACED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IN TANK REPLACED MILEAGE 15777. AT THAT TIME THE 4WD WAS NOT ENGAGING PROPERLY BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO NO REPAIR WAS MADE. MARCH 9, 2005 MOTOR HAD A TICKING NOISE - A LIFTER COLLAPSED AND REPLACED ALONG WITH THE INTAKE GASKET. THERE WAS ALSO A LEAK - THEY FOUND THE REAR EXTENSION HOUSING LEAKING -THE REAR DRIVE SHAFT WAS REMOVED AND SEAL REPLACED. OCT 10, 2005 TRANSMISSION LEAK AND ENGINE NOISE UNDER ACCELERATION - REAR TRANSFER CASE OUTPUT SEAL REPLACED AND ENGINE PRESSURE CHECK. MARCH 30, 2006 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AND EXHAUST SYSTEM RATTLING - THERMOSTAT REPLACED AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MILEAGE 34,997 JUNE 2007 TAIL LIGHT ON RIGHT NOT WORKING - WIRING ISSUES REPAIRED TWICE. NOVEMBER 2007 GRINDING NOISE WHEN PUT INTO 4WD BUT ONCE PUT BACK INTO 2WD OKAY. MARCH 2008 - 4WD MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN ENGAGED AND ALSO MAKING CONTINUING NOISE WHEN IN 2WD - FOUND TO BE TRANSAXLE GOING OUT. WIPER MOTOR GUIT - REPLACED. MILEAGE NOW 74,540 THIS IS WHERE I AM NOW DRIVING WITH THE TRANSAXLE GOING OUT. LOVE TRUCK SIZE AND COMFORT BUT TO MANY PROBLEMS. WILL PROBABLY GO WITH DIFFERENT BRAND NEXT PURCHASE BUT ONLY AFTER MUCH RESEARCH. FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON TRANSAXLE ISSUE AND FEEL MANUFACTURER. SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS ONE. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Sep 11, 200711,540 milesIA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S10. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWAYED LEFT TO RIGHT WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ABS ACTIVATED, WHICH WAS A NORMAL OCCURRENCE. APPROXIMATELY THREE DAYS LATER, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE WARPED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,540 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 20,881.

Tires
Filed Apr 13, 2007MI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 CHEVROLET S-10. WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH ON A CLEAR, DRY DAY A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY SHREDDED. ALL THAT REMAINED WAS A REMNANT OF THE TIRE AND THE RIM. THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT TO A MECHANIC, VALLEY TIRE, WHERE THE TIRES WERE STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD FOUR GOODYEAR WRANGLER RTS TIRES , SIZE P235/75R15. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE MAY HAVE OCCURRED BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS UNDER INFLATED.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 30, 2006VA

THE FRONT WINDOWS ON MY TRUCK WOULD COME OFF TRACK WHILE BEING ROLLED UP WHEN TRAVELING. I DRIVE A 2004 CHEVROLET S10 CREW CAB. I HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR AWHILE. EVERY TIME I TOOK VEHICLE TO CHEVROLET FOR REPAIRS THEY WOULD SAY IT WAS FIXED, BUT IT WASN'T. THEN THEY FOUND OUT FROM GM THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM IN A LOT OF THE SAME TRUCKS. SO GM TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO PUT SHIMS IN THE WINDOWS TO KEEP THEM ON TRACK. SINCE THIS HAS BEEN FIXED I HAVE HAD TO TAKE IT IN TO CHEVROLET AGAIN FOR THE WINDOW MOTOR BURNING OUT FROM THE PRESSURE THE SHIMS WERE PUTTING ON THE MOTOR.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed Jul 8, 200513,500 milesNY

DT: CONTACT STATES VEHICLE VIBRATES AT HIGH SPEEDS. THE SERVICE DEALER STATED IT WAS A BRAKE PROBLEM; THE ROTORS WERE WARPED NOT AND THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BY AN INDEPENDENT SERVICE SHOP. IN WARMER WEATHER THE VIBRATION BECAME WORSE.*AK *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Jun 28, 20046,600 milesCT

WHILE PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY ANOTHER VEHICLE T-BONED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER'S VEHICLE TO BECOME AIR BORN. WHEN THE VEHICLE DESCENDED IT WAS STRUCK HEAD ON WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING SEAT BELTS, BUT THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO THE LEGS, CHEST, AND ARMS. THE POLICE ARRIVED AND CITED THE CONSUMER. *AK

Steering › Rack and Pinion › Pinion Shaft
Filed Jun 2, 2004NJ

WHILE DRIVING THE ABS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PINION WAS LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. *AK

Power Train › Driveline
Filed May 7, 20044,000 milesWI

SEEMS TO BE BINDING IN DRIVETRAIN UPON ACCELERATION WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT FROM A STOP. DEALER (CARMAX) FOUND NOTHING DURRING TEST DRIVE OR ON RACK INSPECTION. I DID GET MY CONCERNS DOCUMENTED BUT NO RESOLUTION. 4000 MILES ON TRUCK.*AK

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Feb 18, 2004FL

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL FOR FRONT SUSPENSION:WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. BUT DEALERSHIP HAD NO PARTS AVAILABLE FOR SIX MONTHS. WODS REPAIRS, EAST MAIN STREET, BROCTON, NY, 14716. SERVICE MANAGER EDWARD WOODS , 1718 792 4483.*AK

20 of 21 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 1994
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20183000Routine
20171000Routine
20161000Routine
20070100Routine
20061100Routine
20050100Routine
2004 — this page21310Routine
2003178411Fatalities reported
2002214323Fatalities reported
2001308560Above average
2000471983Fatalities reported
1999231520Above average
19986131190High concern
1997469883Fatalities reported
199666810111Fatalities reported
19959118131Fatalities reported
1994967871Fatalities reported
19932336110Above average
1992180681Fatalities reported
19911749102Fatalities reported
199029500Routine

Compare every S10 year →

Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.